Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
When I seal the door on the jet closed, relief courses through me like a drink of cool water on a hot day. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Sierra’s grinning in the pilot seat. “Well, well. I do love this job. I never know what’s going to happen.”
She gives Cole and me a thumbs up. “Take your seats. We’re getting out of here before someone changes their mind. Oh, and Wolf. Congratulations. You’ll have to be sure to tell us what you want as a wedding gift.”
“Bite my ass.”
“Nope, that’s your wife’s job.”
“I should have known better than to go anywhere with you two. Fake weddings and engagements seem to follow you two wherever you go. Always something weird happening when you two are along.”
Cole’s laughing as I shut the cockpit door a bit too hard.
Kate’s still clutching her heart. But now there’s a big ass green and gold ring on her finger. A ring that ties her to me. Green. Green. Green. The color of my demise, obviously.
“We’re cleared for take-off.”
Her voice comes out thin and reedy. “Are you sure we can go?”
“Yes, for the moment, at least. The marriage seems to have done the trick.”
The plane lurches and begins rolling along the runway. Over the intercom, Sierra says, “I’m circling back to the end of the runway, then we’re off. Everyone, get ready. We’re going to take off extra fast. I can’t wait to get in the air.”
Kate fastens her seatbelt, glancing back at her grandmother. “I can’t believe you thought of that.”
Nan taps her temple. “I knew we might need to pull out the big guns.”
Still in a weird shock state, I drop into the seat next to Kate. “I’m not sure what the hell just happened to me.”
Married. How the fuck?
The engine roars. And I stare at the middle distance in disbelief. Bloody fucking hell.
I never ever, ever wanted to get married again. Not that this is a real marriage. But seeing that ring on my finger makes my insides turn to ice.
Marriage requires trust. Or it bloody hell should. And that’s not gonna happen. A man only gets burned like I did once. After that, there’s only charred remains. And those don’t fall in love.
Soon, we’re in the air. The quiet hum of the jet does nothing to settle my uneasiness once again. And it does everything to turn Kate green.
“You’re really bad at flying, huh?”
She nods as she grips the arms of her seat with white knuckles.
“Can I get you something?”
“Ginger Ale? It might or might not help.”
“Coming right up. Hold on.”
When I return with the little can of soda, she’s slumped over, her arms wrapped around her knees. Damn. I don’t like to see her suffering.
“Here. Let’s try putting a cool towel on your neck.”
I pop the can top and place it on the mahogany table in front of us. Carefully, I push aside her long, thick hair so I can place a damp tea towel on her neck. Her fingers are shaky as she moves the cloth around. “That feels really good. Thank you.”
“Does the nausea last the whole flight?”
“Sometimes.”
“Would lying down help?”
“I don’t know, I’ve never tried.”
I reach for her belt and unbuckle it. “Come on. This plane has a bed.”
“Really?”
“A nice big one.”
Holding her slender hand, I led her to the back of the jet. She stands, holding onto the wall as I turn back the blankets. Kate’s so small and fragile-looking in her distress, that it makes a searing need to comfort her bloom inside my chest.
“Let me help.” I steady her as she takes a few small sips.
My eyes refuse to leave her as she leans back, her long hair spreading across the pillow.
“This is going to sound totally wimpy, but will you stay?”
“I probably shouldn’t.” I feel my own frown deepen. “But I will.”
She grins up at me, revealing a little dimple in her cheek for the first time. Holy hell.
“Afraid your new wife bites?”
I shake my head slowly. “That’s not the reason.” For a second, I just look at her kissable mouth as I let her tropical perfume fill my senses. “The reason I shouldn’t is because your new husband does bite.”